Once Upon a Bike: A Guide to Great NYC Cycling Events This Spring 2014

Celebrate spring and cycling at one of these two-wheeled events—including one sanctioned by the church—happening around NYC and just beyond.

Bike in a Sculpture Garden | stormking.orgWhen: Reopens April 2Where: Storm King Art CenterWhy: This is a cyclist’s heaven: rolling hills, giant art installations, floating boats, fields of yellow flowers, and plenty of romantic places to picnic throughout the 500-acre outdoor museum. Trust us, it’s the coolest way to celebrate spring on two wheels.Cost:Coach USA offers a day tour package leaving from Port Authority with direct drop-off at the park. Roundtrip bus transportation and museum admission for adults—$46.00, children ages five to eleven—$23. On-site bike rentals are $10 per hour on the weekends with a two-hour minimum.

Blessing of the Bike | theblessingofthebikes.comWhen: May 3, 9amWhere: Cathedral Church of St. John the DivineWhy: If you plan on biking a lot more, you don’t want to miss this.Cost: Free

6th Annual Spring Brooklyn Bike Jumble | nybikejumble.com
When: May 10 and June 1Where: Old Stone House, Washington Park, Park Slope Why: You want a bike at an affordable price. This bike flea tends to have a quality, well-priced selection of new and used bikes. Meet fellow riders while you browse bikes and accessories. Cost: Free to attend

Ride to Montauk | ridetomontauk.com
When: May 31
Where: Start in Manhattan or Long Island, the routes range from 30-150 miles.
Why: If you miss a chance to ride in the 5 Boro Bike Tour and Gran Fondo is out of your league, the Ride to Montauk is the next best thing around. Join riders of all ages and levels as you cruise along flat roads, flanked by cows, mansions, windmills, farms, and the ocean. End the day with a rewarding, sumptuous feast, though you may just want to head straight for the Blue Point beer and Balthazar treats.
Cost: $150

Outdoor FEST Rockaway Bike Tour | rwalliance.orgWhen: Sunday, June 1, 2014, 11am – 2pmWhere: Firehouse 59 at Beach 59th Street & Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway, New YorkWhy: You love meeting fellow outdoorsy people, have never explored Fort Tilden, Floyd Bennet Field, or the Rockaway Peninsula, or hung out with a National Park Ranger. If you don’t have a bike, one will be provided for you.
Cost: Free

Westchester Cycle Club Bike Camp | westchestercycleclub.orgWhen: Saturday,May 10 Where: Hillside Church, 448 Bedford Rd, Armonk, NY Why: WCC Vice President Bob Hermann puts it best: “Want to learn to ride a road bike? Ride better and with confidence? Ride faster? Ride in groups? Ride along with cars? Ride over those hills?” This is a wonderful program for new cyclists and more experienced riders who need a refresher and a fun city break at beautiful Mariandale Retreat in the Hudson Valley (also a convenient distance from the North White Plains train station). Here’s some more info about last year’s camp. Cost: $45 per person

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offMetro is a travel resource for city dwellers who want to get out of town–car-optional. oM reports on the best day trips and weekend getaways that are easily accessible via alternative modes of transportation. If you can't make the weekends longer, strive to make them better.